China’s Stories：Chinese & Swedish Woodcut

On April 20th, China Cultural Center in Stockholm hosted a lecture titled “The Winding Ways Between Swedish and Chinese Woodblock Printing” as part of the “China’s Stories” lecture series. The speaker, Torsten Jurell, is a multimedia artist living in both Sweden and China. He is also one of the exhibitors in “The Diverse Image – Chinese & Swedish Printmaking Exhibition” organized by China Cultural Center in Stockholm as part of China-Sweden Visual Arts Festival.

Torsten’s father was a collector of Chinese ceramics. From a young age, Torsten was fascinated by his father restoring porcelain, which sparked his strong interest in China. Later, he learned about Lu Xun’s story of “abandoning medicine for literature” and his influence on woodcut print collections, which led him to pursue the art of woodcut print. His woodcut prints are collected by several museums and private collectors. He has been involved in ceramic art creation in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province for years, drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology. Torsten has made significant contributions to Chinese-Swedish cultural exchange, and his ceramic artworks created in Jingdezhen are currently on display at the Hallwylska Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.

During the lecture, the audience eagerly shared their own understanding and experiences of Chinese culture and art, engaging in in-depth exchanges and discussions with Torsten. Some raised questions, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the techniques and historical origins of woodcut prints; others shared their views and feelings on bilateral cultural exchange between China and Sweden. The audience expressed that they not only gained a deeper understanding of woodcut prints but also developed love for Chinese culture and confidence in cross-cultural communication.

Since June 2023, China Cultural Center in Stockholm has hosted over ten online and offline lectures as part of the “China’s Stories” series. These lectures cover a diverse range of topics including Chinese calligraphy, painting, intangible cultural heritage, photography, tea culture, traditional Chinese medicine culture, clothing, tourism, and more. Combining dialogues, workshops, and various interactive experiences, these events have been warmly welcomed by the people in Sweden.